April and May are months of global portfolio expansion -

Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced the addition of 11 locations to its global portfolio, during April and May 2008.

The new hotels include five Country Inn & Suites By CarlsonSM hotels in the United States, with the Savannah, Ga. location marking the brand's 450th hotel.

In addition, two Radisson properties opened in North America; two Radisson SAS hotels, one in Russia and one in Romania; and two Park Inn locations, one in Russia and one in Canada. In 2008, Carlson Hotels has added 35 properties and 4,521 guest rooms bringing its global lodging portfolio currently to 986 hotels with 148,733 rooms in 72 countries. Carlson hotel brands also include Regent Hotels & Resorts and Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts.
 
"We are pleased with our continuing global growth momentum as we reach the mid-point of the year," said Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "Of particular note is the milestone opening of the 450th Country Inns & Suites By Carlson as this brand continues to experience solid expansion in its market segment. Overall, we are on track to reach the landmark total of 1,000 properties in our total global portfolio later this year."
 
Country Inns & Suites By Carlson
The addition of five Country Inn & Suites By Carlson locations has increased the brand presence to 450 hotels and more than 35,800 guest rooms.

All of the new properties are located in the United States, and include:

• The 101-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Savannah, Ga., in the city's Historic District, is owned by Tara of Savannah LLC, and marks the brand's 450th location. The hotel features an indoor pool, fitness room, 70-person capacity meeting room with a 60-inch plasma flat screen TV and built-in audio system, and two boardrooms. All rooms offer complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access and a 32" flat screen TV, microwave and refrigerator.      
• The 100-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Manchester Airport, N.H. is owned by Vista Heights Properties, LLC
• The 70-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Petersburg, Va., is owned by Vraj Enterprise LLC.
• The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Ithaca, N.Y., owned by Garuda Hotels, Inc., has 57 guest rooms.
• The 60-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Tallahassee, Fla., is owned by Avanti Hospitality, Inc. 

Each hotel features the brand's newly enhanced interior design package that was developed with input from guests and franchisees to evolve the brand and ensure it meets the needs of today's travelers. The new design highlights a more transitional and residential style, features a contemporary color palate throughout the hotel, and includes upgraded bedding in the guest rooms.

In addition to the upgraded design, each hotel includes traditional brand design elements, including hardwood floors and a fireplace in the grand lobby.
 
Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts
Directly overlooking the River Don, the new Radisson SAS Don Hotel is located in Rostov on Don, one of southern Russia's largest cities. The hotel offers 82 designer guest rooms fully-equipped with high-quality amenities, including free high-speed Internet access. Leonardo Restaurant offers a mix of international and local cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere. The hotel's renowned Super Breakfast Buffet, features more than 120 international and local breakfast dishes. In the Lounge, guests can listen to live piano while enjoying an aperitif or night cap. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the entertainment and commercial districts.
 
Radisson SAS Hotel Bucharest is located in the heart of Romania's capital, just 20 minutes from the Henri Coanda International Airport and within walking distance of the city's business center, museum district and shopping. The hotel offers 424 guest rooms designed by world-renowned architect Uri Blumenthal and interior designer Buki Zuker. Guests can enjoy high-quality amenities such as free high-speed Internet access, LCD televisions, and luxury bath products from French brand Anne Sémonin.
 
The hotel offers a variety of restaurants and lounges, including Prime Steaks and Seafood, a fine-dining restaurant serving a selection of grilled steaks and fish complemented with an exclusive wine list. Caffé Città offers Northern Italian cuisine and a sun terrace with sumptuous views. The Blå Lounge Bar offers drinks and snacks 24 hours every day, while fine cigars and cognacs are available at the late-night Dark Blå Bar.
 
For groups, the hotel offers 12 meeting rooms, including a ballroom that is equipped with the latest audiovisual equipment, wireless Internet access and large windows providing natural light. The hotel houses the World Class Health Academy, featuring a fully equipped gym, massage rooms, and hair and beauty salon. The adjoining garden features an outdoor pool, a large Jacuzzi®, pool bar and patio, while the Bali Spa offers state-of-the-art facilities and a wide range of treatments. Romania's biggest casino, Platinum Casino, sits within the hotel near several exclusive shops.
 
Radisson Hotels & Resorts
Alberta's capital is home the new Radisson Hotel Edmonton South, which features 235 spacious guest rooms. The hotel also offers an indoor heated pool, whirlpool and sauna. All guests receive complimentary use of the hotel's 23,000-sq.-ft. fitness and racquet club. For meetings, the hotel features more than 30,000 square feet of banquet space with 17 versatile function rooms. Dining options include two full-service restaurants, which are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and one lounge.
 
The Radisson Hotel Freehold in New Jersey offers 121 spacious hotel rooms and suites. In-room amenities include 32-inch flat panel LCD televisions, complimentary high-speed Internet access throughout hotel and Select Comfort Sleep Number® beds, which allow guests to adjust the level of mattress firmness with the touch of a button. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool and sauna, T. Winner's Circle Restaurant, the hotel's close proximity to Six Flags Great Adventure theme park.
 
With the addition of these four new Radisson properties, Radisson's global portfolio currently includes 403 hotels with 88,264 guest rooms.
 
Park Inn Hotels & Resorts
Park Inn currently operates 86 locations and 15,105 guest rooms with the addition of two new hotels in Moscow and Toronto.
 
The brand new Park Inn Sadu, Moscow, is located in the historic heart of Russia's vibrant capital, just a short walk from the Kremlin and the Red Square. The hotel offers 117 modern, colorful guest rooms with stunning views of Christ the Savior Cathedral, the Moskva River and other top attractions. Tretyakov Gallery is a five-minute walk from the hotel; Polyanka metro station is an easy two-minute walk. Café Sadu serves a tempting menu of European, Italian and Oriental dishes. The hotel bar offers an international drink menu.
 
The Park Inn Toronto offers 54 smoke-free rooms with modern contemporary comfort. The rooms feature posturepedic beds, down pillows and duvets, plasma televisions, microwaves, mini refrigerators, complimentary wireless Internet and complimentary local calls. Located directly across from the Woodbine Race Track, the property is also near Wild Water Kingdom, Canada's Paramount Wonderland, Woodbine Fantasy Fair Shopping Centre, and an array of fabulous dining experiences. The hotel is just five minutes from Pearson International Airport and 15 miles from downtown Toronto.
 
Regent Hotels & Resorts
Regent Hotels & Resorts global expansion continues with three new developments announced this year, all of which further strengthen the brand's presence in Asia.
 
The Regent Manila Bay, the Philippines, will open in 2009. The company's first hotel-within-a-hotel, the property will be located within the 148-acre Mall of Asia Complex that will be home to the Radisson Manila Bay. The Regent Manila Bay will be an all-suite boutique enclave with 80 ultra-luxurious suites, a signature restaurant, lobby bar, fitness center and private swimming pool.
 
Also opening in 2009, is The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, Thailand. Located on the south-eastern corner of Phuket Island, the 106-room resort will feature a 180-foot swimming pool, tennis court, health center and spa. The hotel will join another upcoming Regent development in Thailand, The Regent Bangkok.
 
In 2012, Regent will debut a luxury hotel and residences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  The 250-room hotel will be complemented by The Regent Residences, Kuala Lumpur, a collection of 102 exclusive luxury residential apartments.
 
These developments will join ward-winning existing Asian properties The Regent Shanghai and The Regent Beijing, and forthcoming private island resort The Regent Maldives.
 
Regent Hotels & Resorts worldwide also include The Regent Bordeaux, France; The Regent Esplanade Zagreb, Croatia; The Regent Berlin, Germany; The Regent Bal Harbour, Florida; and The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos. Additional global developments include properties in Dubrovnik, Croatia and Abu Dhabi, UAE.